The Gauntlet of Doom

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khad · #1 Post by **khad** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:23 am

What I'm referring to is the straight road where there are many people trying to turn left in the opposing lane, people trying to turn right to get into your lane, with you trying to get through it unscathed.

Gauntlet: A form of punishment or torture in which people armed with sticks or other weapons arrange themselves in two lines facing each other and beat the person forced to run between them.

Every time I come across one of these I get tense because I just know someday one of these bastards is going to pull out in front of me. The busier the street, the more desperate they get, and the crappier their judgement becomes.

Do you hate going through The Gauntlet? What measure do you take to make sure you are seen? Is flashing your headlights a good plan?

Beach · #2 Post by **Beach** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:44 am

I run with the high beam on, and sometimes flash it to be seen better.

I also slow down and adjust lane position to maximize escape routes. When I am at the point of no return (about to pass a car that may pull out) I get on the throttle and scoot on by quick. The best thing you can do is relax, tensing up is bad. Just stay focused on keeping your eyes moving, when you fixate on one threat, another may get you. Its not easy, but its part of the thrill of riding. Doing your best to not get squashed each day.

#3 Post by **KarateChick** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:19 am

To some cagers, flashing your lights signals to them it's okay to proceed in front of you (crazy huh? but yeah) or just makes them think you are signalling a speed trap ahead. And I'm sure it sometimes pisses them off too.

You've already pointed out that you realize this can be a tight situation so I assume that you are ready (to swerve, brake, know your exits, etc) in case someone does blast in front of you so I think your awareness is at least half of the battle won.

#4 Post by **bok** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:27 am

a good thing to do is relax and do the speed limit. adding even 5mph increases your stopping distance significantly.

a tip i was told once is to watch the tires of the oncoming car. not fixate of course, but you will generally get a better indication of what the vehicle will do by the tires than by watching the driver.

another thing i do is when i ride i look for places that people are likely to come darting out of or in to like gas stations, 7-11s and the like. if someone has been off the road for only 5 minutes a lot of times they are more anxious to get going and may be less attentive.

Sev · #5 Post by **Sev** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:31 am

Move around a bit in your lane, randomly tap your back brake, flash your signals, and your high beam occasionally... toot your horn. All that stuff makes you a little more noticable, though it tends to "pee" people off too.

Other then that, get off the road if you can, watch the tires like Bok said. Assume that someone is planning on changing into you, and make sure you have a way out. Don't let yourself end up between two cars where you cannot get away safely etc etc etc.

GrandGT · #6 Post by **GrandGT** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:46 am

im not generally concerned that they cant see me, its more of a they cant judge your speed so will cut you off. the absolute worst is when they wait and wait and wait cause they dont want to cut you off, then decide at the last second they should go and then end up cutting right in front of you.

i would never flash my lights, cause they immediately take that as reason to go in front of you. i just make sure to go a constant speed so not to overload their questionable depth perception

khad · #7 Post by **khad** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:53 am

I've wondered about that whole yielding right of way by flashing your lights, cause this forum is actually the first I've heard of that. Where I live the only time I've ever even seen people flash their lights is for speed traps. We use the "go ahead" waving of the hand to yield right of way.

I guess it's a city/state/country thing. Kinda like how I've never seen anybody do the low V wave, but everyone here does an over the handlebar wave, like a stereotypical Indian "How!"

GrandGT · #8 Post by **GrandGT** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:55 am

in new england at least, you flash em twice usually to show u wont rail them if they make the turn or if theyre not looking and your slowing so they can make the turn

MakeCarsStandSTill · Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:30 am

If i start getting nervous about drivers not knowing im there i shift down and MAKE IT SCREAM!!! lol i must admit when im in a cage and im going down the highway its scary to hear a bike scream by lol

khad · #10 Post by **khad** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:33 am

GrandGT wrote:in new england at least, you flash em twice usually to show u wont rail them if they make the turn or if theyre not looking and your slowing so they can make the turn

Ah, when I do it, it's usually pretty fast and I do it probably at least 4-5 times. Do you think that would also be mistaken as a yield?